Facilities: Wichita State University launched its Next Level Project to upgrade the design and appearance of the lower level concourse at Charles Koch Arena. The project, made possible by a donation from Koch Industries, Inc., was designed by Nimlok Kansas/Image Resources and will continue the theme in the arena bowl and concourse to the lower level locker rooms for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, auxiliary training room, the weight and conditioning rooms and media and interview rooms. “By providing a highly polished look with more colorful art about Wichita State athletics, the project will provide a more festive atmosphere for our student-athletes as well as enhance the overall facility,” said Athletics Director Jim Schaus. The project is expected to be complete later this month ... The University of Iowa Board of Regents adopted a policy that will allow buildings and academic units to be named for donors who are individuals or that are corporations. The policy urges due diligence before the gifts are accepted and gives examples of categories of people or entities that would be eligible for such an honor, including alumni with close ties, distinguished Iowans, persons who have made an outstanding contribution to a field of study, or donors who have made significant contributions and employees.

Conferences: The Big East Conference presidents voted to include all 16 member institutions in the men’s and women’s basketball championship tournaments beginning in 2009. Now, the top 12 teams in the final regular-season standings advance to the tournaments. The new format will match teams seeded 9 through 16 on the first day of competition. The winners will meet seeds 5 though 8 on the second day. The four winners of those games will meet the top four seeds in the quarterfinals.

Miscellaneous: Ohio State University’s men’s gymnastics team celebrated its designation by the College Gymnastics Association as the top academic team in the nation. The Buckeyes posted a 3.4 cumulative grade-point average and is just the fourth program to receive the title, joining Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the College of William and Mary. Stanford won the award the past four years. Ohio State also won its third consecutive Big Ten Conference championship for the fifth time in seven years.

Ohio State gymnasts were guests of honor earlier this month at an event that recognized their academic achievements. Athletics Director Gene Smith presented the team with a $3,400 check for the team’s fund, representing the 3.4 combined grade-point average the Buckeyes earned in the 2006-07 academic year.